sprout a couch

This was just so clever I had to put it on my blog.  Because some day (when I get a yard) I'm going to make one! Here's the link: Sprout a Couch

I just thought it was so funny.  And I love that magazine, too.

latest projects

I made a bunch of backpacks when my sisters came for a visit.  They were for Christmas gifts, I just gave them 6 months early because we used them on a trip to New York. But I forgot to take pictures of the backpacks before I gave them away.  So, here is one I made for myself.  Kind of fun.  And you only need about 1/3 yard fabric to do the whole thing.  I lined it, so it would be 1/3 yard of both fabrics.

I'm fairly pleased with how it turned out.  And really pleased that it used up a ton of my scrap fabrics.  So, this project fits with my attempts of being resourceful and giving something more than one purpose.  Not only does it put the pretty fabric to good use, it cleans up my "creativity corner."  (My dad lovingly labels these kinds of craft supply corners "crap supply" corners.) And as I mentioned in one of my (way) earlier posts, this project also fits with my desire to do handmade gifts this year.  Whatever it is, it's nice to be happy with what you accomplish, and clean up and out all at the same time.  

Singing Contest

My sisters entered an a capella singing contest and the only criteria for winning is how many times it's viewed on youtube. So, anyone reading this, could you help them out and take a look? The more views, the better.  Just some good clean singing in a silly song. No, I'm not in the video, if anyone thinks girl #3 looks like me.  She does, but it's not me.  And if you're really good, there's some dancing eyebrows toward the end.  See if you can find them! And feel free to spread it around! Thanks and here's the link:

Murdock Sisters Sing the Hot Dog Song

shin splints

So, I've got them and they're not going away. I've bought new shoes, I've stretched, I've quit running for a while, and I've eaten tons of bananas. Why are they still hurting? Any ideas? This 1/2 marathon thing just might be the end of my running career. Not looking so hopeful, how do I turn this around?

digital scrapping

How do you do it!  I have not a clue and I see all these other cute blogs, and start to whine because mine is so boring!  Somebody help me!

Anthropologie addict

I admit it.  I'm an anthropologie addict.  Anytime I am remotely close to one, I will spend the extra on gas just to go to it, since I can't spend the dough to actually buy something from there. The ideas in there are just amazing. You should see the butterfly japanese lanterns they have right now.  And, I believe I've gained a lot of my inspirations in there.  For example, this picture frame. I was bored, again, with how it looked.  So I borrowed an idea from Anthro, which is cover everything in fabric.  The picture above is the before.  And below, the after.  It's hard to see, so let me explain.  I spread watered down elmer's glue all over the wood part, dipped the fabric in watered down glue, and draped it over the frame.  After it dried, I trimmed it because the fabric was stiff and stuck. Anthro does this all the time.  It makes it a little more organic and not so stark. So, thank you Anthro for the ideas.  That's all I can afford.

I think I'm crazy.

Know why?

Because I'm seriously considering running for 13 miles non-stop.  It's insane, and yet, the temptation is so real, just to say "Yeah, I ran a half marathon."  Yep, half and half only.  I've not totally lost it.  This is just a moment of temporary insanity.  And one that I am completely committed to--I think.  (That doesn't sound complete, does it.) Anyway, if anyone has any advice, post away!  I'm going to need it!  

My whole family's asleep!

Except me!! That's why I can post another post!  But maybe I shouldn't, after all, it is getting late.  But not that late, you say.  It's only 10:30 and by anyone's east coast standards, the night's just begun! But you see, as a former westcoastian, I admit to still thinking like one. So I'm torn, do I stay up late, as my west coast mentality says it must be, or do I stay up early, as the east would insist?  Alas, I don't know which coast to pick.  Now normally, I would be right there in bed snoring with the best of them (grinding my teeth actually, but I digress) and as a mother, that sleep time is precious.  It's like a card I got just before my son was born.  It said, "when you become a parent, you begin to realize how important the little things are.  Like sleep."  And that has been all too true for most of my motherhood years.  But then there comes a point when you stay up late just to get something done because your day is full of good little things that keep you from doing other, not-so-important-but-good-to-do things.  It's a vicious cycle. But just because I'm feeling chatty, and because my whole family is sleeping in a tent in the front room (camping trip got rained out, but I'm okay with that-running water and good bed on my list of absolutes of sleeping), I'm here.  I'm up.  And in the debate of to snore or not to snore, I choose to not to.  I'll regret that in the morning.